A TEENAGER who drove a stolen car belonging to a carer was yesterday disqualified from driving for two months - even though he is too young to have a licence.

The Argus campaign fighting back against car thieves who cause distress and misery by stealing or breaking into vehicles revealed the plight of carer Chris Watkins on Monday.

We reported how his mother Grace Watkins, 73, from Brynglas, Hollybush was devastated when the car she bought for her son - her full-time carer - was stolen.

The theft meant Mr Watkins, 46, was unable to make regular visits to his mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

Yesterday, a 14-year-old, from Fairwater, Cwmbran, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to taking the car without consent and driving without insurance or a licence.

Magistrates at Cwmbran youth court were told that the boy was playing with a friend on July 21 when they saw the red G-reg Ford Fiesta lying on its side.

They pushed it onto its wheels and the boy drove it down Moss Road but the boy was pulled over after just 100 yards by police, who recognised the vehicle as being stolen.

This was the boy's first offence. He was sentenced to a three month referral order - which means he must have regular meetings with the youth offender team - and will have to report to a youth offending panel. He was also disqualified from driving for two months, and will have his licence endorsed when he is 17.

The Argus' Car Safe campaign aims are to: Raise public awareness about car safety. Make car park operators more accountable for security. Expose car crime hotspots. Reduce the car crime figures. Increase sentences for repeat offenders.

Mrs Watkins' eldest son, Mike, 52, told the Argus he thought the punishment should have been tougher.

"I didn't expect anything too severe because of his age, but at the very least his parents should have been fined. Being banned from driving is just ridiculous though - he's too young to drive anyway."

Former magistrate William Graham, AM, is also backing our campaign. He said: "Cases like this are most frustrating for the sentencing bench because they are limited by what they can do. Magistrates need to be given more powers to deal with young offenders and to make them comply with their rulings. Car crime is on the increase and youngsters need to be deterred from it."